Australian Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews on Saturday cleared the way for Indian doctor Mohammed Haneef to leave the country after he was cleared off terror charges.
He said government has given "no objection" to Haneef leaving Australia.
Haneef was released from prison on Friday after a terror charge against him was dropped.
Andrews, who cancelled Haneef's work visa on July 16 when a Brisbane magistrate granted the doctor bail, said the visa remained cancelled.
He said Haneef's lawyers have contacted the Immigration Department asking if the doctor could leave Australia as soon as possible.
"After taking advice, including from the Australian Federal Police, I have indicated that the Commonwealth has no objection to Dr Haneef leaving Australia. Indeed the effect of the visa cancellation is that he should remove himself, he should depart Australia in any event," he said.
Andrews said Haneef's Indian passport would be given back to him, although his visa remained cancelled.
He was not aware of when Haneef would leave, but said the indications were that it may be on Saturday night, amid speculation that the doctor was already waiting at Brisbane airport, Australian newspaper reported.
Earlier, Haneef's lawyer Peter Russo said his client was feeling homesick and was eager to return home to India to see his family, including his sick mother.
He said Haneef cannot work until the Immigration Department completes its review into the decision to revoke his visa, so there is nothing to keep him here.
"With his visa being cancelled, he doesn't probably have a job, so he'd just be sitting around here until that could get organised," Russo said adding, "It would probably be easier to organise from India. I know it sounds strange, but at least he's got his family's support around him and if he's not able to organise it, he's no worse off, so to speak."
